# NTSB ATL90FA031: Piper PA-24-250, N7681P, Helen, GA, November 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Helen, GA
- Coordinates: 34.700744, -83.720581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7007&lon=-83.7206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8106
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8106/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA031

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT AND PLAN EN ROUTE REFUELING STOPS. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE ALTITUDE EN ROUTE TO ATHENS, GA THE ENGINE QUIT. THE FLIGHT WAS LAST OBSERVED BY HUNTERS LOW OVERHEAD PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH TREES. THE WITNESS DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE COLLISION SEPARATED THE WING STRUCTURE AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INVERTED IN THE WOODS. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FLIGHT ROUTE INDICATED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUEL. EN ROUTE ATTENTION TO ACTUAL FLIGHT TIME WOULD HAVE ALERTED THE PILOT OF THE NEED TO REFUEL PRIOR TO ATHENS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7681P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7681P-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 24-2854, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-2854
- Airframe hours: 3122
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A105 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herbert A. Shannon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: MEI, MUNCIE, IN
- Destination: AHN, ATHENS, GA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 550 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 50 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19891125046609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891125046609A), Nov 25, 1989: Piper PA24250, Helen, GA, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Apparently ran out of fuel en route,crashed into trees at high impact speed. Had prior fuel exhaustion accident.

## Other investigations on N7681P (3)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN86LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA221), Aug 7, 1986: Piper PA-24-250 (N7681P), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI70D0286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0286), Aug 17, 1969: Piper PA-24 (N7681P), Kankakee, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X2310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2310), Jun 15, 1964: Piper PA-24 (N7681P), Corning, IA, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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